In spite of current preventive recommendations, the incidence of diabetes is increasing throughout the world including in the United States. This increase implies that the proposed recommendations--primarily changes in diet and lifestyle--are not having optimal results. If there are no significant changes in the current preventive recommendations, it is estimated that by 2034 the number of individuals in the United States with diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes will increase from about 23.7 million to 44.1 million. During this period, about 65 percent of the population is expected to remain overweight or obese. The annual medical cost of this disease is expected to rise from 113 billion to 336 billion dollars, a threefold increase during the same time period. The projected increase in this disease and its related cost makes it imperative that we develop an additional strategy for prevention. This chapter describes a novel prevention strategy using micronutrients that would complement the current recommendations.

TYPES OF PREVENTION STRATEGIES

Prevention strategies can be divided into two groups: primary prevention and secondary prevention. Primary prevention strategies include ways to avoid exposure to agents that can induce one or more risk factors for developing diabetes. The purpose of primary prevention is to protect non-diabetic individuals or pre-diabetic individuals from actual onset of diabetes.

Secondary prevention focuses on stopping or slowing diabetes progression in high-risk populations. Secondary prevention strategies may involve insulin (in the case of type 1 diabetes) and micronutrients together with changes in diet and lifestyle.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PRIMARY PREVENTION

Changes in Diet and Lifestyle

Primary prevention strategies for both type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes should be adopted from childhood. Pregnant women who have a family history of type 1 diabetes should also adopt primary prevention strategies. Diet and lifestyle changes are very important in primary prevention. Fat-rich and calorie-rich diets and physical inactivity contribute to obesity and insulin resistance, which are considered major risk factors in the development of diabetes. Increased levels of oxidative stress and chronic inflammation are found in obese individuals and individuals with insulin resistance.

To reduce obesity, oxidative stress, and chronic inflammation, I recommend daily consumption of a low-fat and high-fiber diet with plenty of fruits (especially grapes and berries) and leafy vegetables. It is also recommended to avoid excessive intake of carbohydrates and proteins. Whenever oil is used for cooking, virgin olive oil is preferred because it is rich in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which has been shown to have beneficial effects in patients with diabetes. For non-vegetarians, fish (especially salmon) twice a week and chicken is recommended. For vegetarians, I recommend an increased intake of lima beans and soy or soy products. Certain spices and herbs--such as turmeric, cinnamon, garlic, and ginger--can be added to vegetables or meat. These spices and herbs have antioxidant and anti-inflammation properties.

Changes in lifestyle recommendations include maintaining normal weight, reducing obesity, increasing physical activity, stopping tobacco smoking, reducing stress, and exercising moderately four to five times a week. Moderate exercise includes walking twenty to twenty-five minutes per day at least five days per week or using a treadmill and weight lifting for thirty minutes three to four times a week. The level of exercise depends upon the age and condition of the individual.

These changes appear to be easy to implement, but in reality, they are difficult to follow consistently. This is due to the fact that human behavior and habits are difficult to change. This is supported by the phenomenon that despite extensive education programs about maintaining normal weight, the number of overweight and obese individuals is increasing in the United States.

Micronutrient SupplementsAn appropriate preparation of multiple micronutrients is equally important for primary prevention and complements the effect of changes in diet and lifestyle in reducing the risk of diabetes. Micronutrients include dietary antioxidants (vitamin A, beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium) and endogenous antioxidants (alpha-lipoic acid, glutathione-elevating agent n-acetylcysteine, coenzyme Q10, and L-carnitine), B vitamins, vitamin D, chromium, and appropriate minerals. The doses of each of these ingredients in a micronutrient formulation would differ depending upon the age of the individual. Micronutrient formulations for various age groups are presented in tables 8.1 to 8.4. These formulations, now referred to as BioArmor, have been patented by the Premier Micronutrient Corporation and are currently marketed to consumers.

These formulations have unique properties that are not found in other multi-vitamin preparations currently sold. For example, the micronutrient formulations have no iron, copper, manganese, or heavy metals (vanadium, zirconium, and molybdenum). Iron and copper are not added because they are known to interact with vitamin C and generate excessive amounts of free radicals. In addition, prolonged consumption of these trace minerals in the presence of antioxidants may increase the free iron or copper stores in the body, because there is no way for men to excrete iron, nor for women after menopause. Increased stores of free iron may increase the risk of some human chronic diseases including heart disease. Heavy metals are not added because prolonged consumption may increase their levels in the body, and because there is no significant mechanism for excretion of these metals from the body. High levels of these metals are considered neurotoxic.

TABLE 8.1 FORMULATION FOR CHILDREN 5-10 YEARS OF AGE WITHOUT A DIABETES RISK FACTOR

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In spite of current preventive recommendations, the incidence of diabetes is increasing throughout the world including in the United States. This increase implies that the proposed recommendations--primarily changes in diet and lifestyle--are not having optimal results. If there are no significant changes in the current preventive recommendations, it is estimated that by 2034 the number of individuals in the United States with diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes will increase from about 23.7 million to 44.1 million. During this period, about 65 percent of the population is expected to remain overweight or obese. The annual medical cost of this disease is expected to rise from 113 billion to 336 billion dollars, a threefold increase during the same time period. The projected increase in this disease and its related cost makes it imperative that we develop an additional strategy for prevention. This chapter describes a novel prevention strategy using micronutrients that would complement the current recommendations.

TYPES OF PREVENTION STRATEGIES

Prevention strategies can be divided into two groups: primary prevention and secondary prevention. Primary prevention strategies include ways to avoid exposure to agents that can induce one or more risk factors for developing diabetes. The purpose of primary prevention is to protect non-diabetic individuals or pre-diabetic individuals from actual onset of diabetes.

Secondary prevention focuses on stopping or slowing diabetes progression in high-risk populations. Secondary prevention strategies may involve insulin (in the case of type 1 diabetes) and micronutrients together with changes in diet and lifestyle.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PRIMARY PREVENTION

Changes in Diet and Lifestyle

Primary prevention strategies for both type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes should be adopted from childhood. Pregnant women who have a family history of type 1 diabetes should also adopt primary prevention strategies. Diet and lifestyle changes are very important in primary prevention. Fat-rich and calorie-rich diets and physical inactivity contribute to obesity and insulin resistance, which are considered major risk factors in the development of diabetes. Increased levels of oxidative stress and chronic inflammation are found in obese individuals and individuals with insulin resistance.

To reduce obesity, oxidative stress, and chronic inflammation, I recommend daily consumption of a low-fat and high-fiber diet with plenty of fruits (especially grapes and berries) and leafy vegetables. It is also recommended to avoid excessive intake of carbohydrates and proteins. Whenever oil is used for cooking, virgin olive oil is preferred because it is rich in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which has been shown to have beneficial effects in patients with diabetes. For non-vegetarians, fish (especially salmon) twice a week and chicken is recommended. For vegetarians, I recommend an increased intake of lima beans and soy or soy products. Certain spices and herbs--such as turmeric, cinnamon, garlic, and ginger--can be added to vegetables or meat. These spices and herbs have antioxidant and anti-inflammation properties.

Changes in lifestyle recommendations include maintaining normal weight, reducing obesity, increasing physical activity, stopping tobacco smoking, reducing stress, and exercising moderately four to five times a week. Moderate exercise includes walking twenty to twenty-five minutes per day at least five days per week or using a treadmill and weight lifting for thirty minutes three to four times a week. The level of exercise depends upon the age and condition of the individual.

These changes appear to be easy to implement, but in reality, they are difficult to follow consistently. This is due to the fact that human behavior and habits are difficult to change. This is supported by the phenomenon that despite extensive education programs about maintaining normal weight, the number of overweight and obese individuals is increasing in the United States.

Micronutrient SupplementsAn appropriate preparation of multiple micronutrients is equally important for primary prevention and complements the effect of changes in diet and lifestyle in reducing the risk of diabetes. Micronutrients include dietary antioxidants (vitamin A, beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium) and endogenous antioxidants (alpha-lipoic acid, glutathione-elevating agent n-acetylcysteine, coenzyme Q10, and L-carnitine), B vitamins, vitamin D, chromium, and appropriate minerals. The doses of each of these ingredients in a micronutrient formulation would differ depending upon the age of the individual. Micronutrient formulations for various age groups are presented in tables 8.1 to 8.4. These formulations, now referred to as BioArmor, have been patented by the Premier Micronutrient Corporation and are currently marketed to consumers.

These formulations have unique properties that are not found in other multi-vitamin preparations currently sold. For example, the micronutrient formulations have no iron, copper, manganese, or heavy metals (vanadium, zirconium, and molybdenum). Iron and copper are not added because they are known to interact with vitamin C and generate excessive amounts of free radicals. In addition, prolonged consumption of these trace minerals in the presence of antioxidants may increase the free iron or copper stores in the body, because there is no way for men to excrete iron, nor for women after menopause. Increased stores of free iron may increase the risk of some human chronic diseases including heart disease. Heavy metals are not added because prolonged consumption may increase their levels in the body, and because there is no significant mechanism for excretion of these metals from the body. High levels of these metals are considered neurotoxic.

TABLE 8.1 FORMULATION FOR CHILDREN 5-10 YEARS OF AGE WITHOUT A DIABETES RISK FACTOR

• Debunks the flawed conclusions of the medical community that show vitamins and antioxidants to be ineffective for diabetes treatment

In this practical yet scientific guide, leading researcher in cancer, heart disease, and diabetes prevention Kedar N. Prasad, Ph.D., reveals the latest revolutionary discoveries on the use of antioxidants and micronutrients to treat diabetes. He details how the proper combinations of vitamin and antioxidant supplements can greatly increase the effectiveness of standard medical treatments to halt and even reverse the progression of both type I and type II diabetes and prevent onset in those who are diagnosed as prediabetic.

Prasad shows how chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and free radical damage are the chief culprits for the progression of diabetes and its complications and that merely changing your diet and activity level and regulating blood glucose levels cannot fully counteract this unhealthy internal state. He provides an easy-to-follow daily supplement regime for both diabetics and prediabetics in multiple age groups to target free radical damage and cell injury and stop the progression of diabetes complications. Reviewing much of the scientific research on diabetes treatment, he debunks the flawed conclusions of the medical community that vitamins and antioxidants are ineffective, revealing how the studies focused on specific micronutrients rather than synergistic combinations.

Offering the missing complement to the standard care of diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes promoted by mainstream medicine, this guide provides a truly holistic approach to diabetes prevention, treatment, and care.

"The incidence of diabetes is increasing worldwide despite campaigns encouraging weight loss, exercise, and better nutrition. This means that diabetics will be facing kidney disease, heart disease, and damage to the eyes. Prasad (chief scientific officer, Premier Micronutrient Corp.), a PhD in radiation biology, offers a plan for the prevention of diabetes and its complications. He feels that inflammation and oxidative stress owing to free radicals are the major causes of the disease. He explains the different types of diabetes and the regulation of blood glucose in the body. Prasad then discusses oxidative stress and inflammation and presents a regimen of vitamins, micronutrients, and diet to combat both conditions. Readers will need a working knowledge of biochemistry and physiology to understand the author’s thesis. He cites clinical and animal studies to support this theory, but all of them are very small—around 30 patients. Prasad also states that more investigations are needed to show that his programs are effective. In addition, he notes that most of his regimens are taken from his earlier book, Fighting Cancer with Vitamins and Antioxidants."

– Barbara Bibel, Library Journal, March 2014

"Like a Cliff-note crammer, Prasad (co-author of Fighting Cancer with Vitamins and Antioxidants), a researcher in cancer, heart disease, and diabetes prevention, introduces the disease cost of diabetes, both in terms of the staggering number of individuals affected (approximately 18.8 million in the US in 2011) and in the cost to the healthcare system, before reviewing the types of diabetes and some possible causes. Most of the book focuses on an in-depth description of oxidative stress and inflammation, and the role they may play in the pathogenesis of diabetes. Prasad includes a list of antioxidants, both endogenous and exogenous, and discusses their properties and functions. Supported by a lengthy list of research findings and clinical trial data, Prasad—perhaps not coincidentally the head of the Premier Micronutrient Corporation—discusses micronutrient supplementations at length and suggests formulations for supplement regiments for children and adults. These, he posits, along with the usual recommended diet and lifestyle changes, will help protect against and prevent diabetes."

– Publisher's Weekly, March 2014

"Dr. Prasad, a leading investigator and advocate for the role of micronutrients in cancer and neurodegenerative disorders, now succinctly presents an excellent biological rationale for the use of vitamins and antioxidants in the prevention and treatment of diabetes. His biological perspectives of micronutrients and concise meta-analysis of the existing data can help readers to consider antioxidants and proper agents in the fight against chronic disorders, especially for diabetes and cancer."

"This is a most insightful presentation with many key ideas concerning both the prevention of onset and the deterrence of progression of diabetes. In view of the explosive increase in incidence of this disease, this book is especially timely. Emphasis is placed on inexpensive and noninvasive means by which diabetes patients can take command of a significant portion of their treatment. This makes the book especially valuable and relevant to a wide readership."

More Books from this Author

About the Author

Kedar N. Prasad, Ph.D., is the chief scientific officer of the Premier Micronutrient Corporation, the former director of the Center for Vitamins and Cancer Research at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, and the former president of the International Society of Nutrition and Cancer. He lives in the San Francisco Bay area.